Balancing Business and Babies

Welcome to the world of a woman entrepreneur and mother of two, where every day is a blend of business meetings and little human giggles! Being the owner of a thriving drafting business while also raising two young, curious souls, my days are a dynamic blend of technical expertise and the everyday magic of nurturing little imaginations. Come along as I share the joys, challenges, and victories of being a mom while running my own drafting business.

Becoming a Mompreneur

During my pregnancy with our first child, Wade, I was employed in a position that didn't provide maternity leave. As a result, I took the proactive step of freelancing in drafting during that period. What started as part time work soon blossomed into a full-fledged business, and despite the workload becoming quite demanding for a new mother, I have a knack for taking on challenges and figuring it out along the way. This one woman show forged on with a baby in my lap for quite some time.

My husband, always the voice of reason, suggested that I hire someone to work for me to help establish my business and create more work life balance. I took his advice and hired a secondary drafter. This allowed me to receive much-needed assistance while being present for my now toddler, continuing to grow the business, and a second baby on the way. However, I found myself still struggling to maintain balance. There I was, in the hospital, responding to emails both hours before and after giving birth, driven by determination and dedication.

As the business continued to thrive, I made the somewhat daunting decision to hire a second person within just a few months of hiring the first. After many interviews, it came down to choosing between two exceptional candidates.

My crazy husband said, “Nina… why don’t you just hire both of them?”

“BOTH!?!?!?! Are you crazy!?” I said.

The answer is yes, he is crazy. Perhaps I am too. And just like that my business became a team of 4.

I now had the ability to actually shut down my computer when it turned 5 o’clock to be with my family. I learned to not open my laptop on the weekends and to hold emails until Monday (most of the time). I became wise enough to understand that having a quality of life with my family comes before everything in this world. While my business is like my third child, and I deeply care about it, I discovered the art of balance and accepted the fact that I now had the support of three remarkable individuals. I didn't have to take on the world and do everything on my own. I learned how to be a boss — Ew, I feel weird even saying the word! Never in a million years did I think I was going to be someone’s boss. Over time, my team saw me grow into this role. I was learning as they were learning. We learned together.

Embracing Remote Work

One of the greatest perks of my drafting and design business? Working remotely. It's like having a backstage pass to my kids' lives, ensuring I never miss a moment of their growth and development.

Remote work lets me be present for every 'first' while balancing work and family.

I got to witness Atlas take her first steps. I am there to eat pizza with Wade at lunch time. I can wholeheartedly acknowledge them and step away for a moment when they excitedly show me a new bug they've discovered. I cherish every spontaneous moment that unfolds throughout the day, whether it's a surprise dance party in the living room or an impromptu art project in the kitchen. It's all possible thanks to the freedom and adaptability that remote work provides, allowing me to be both a dedicated entrepreneur and a loving mother, right in the heart of my family's daily adventures.

Sharing Opportunities

When I first hired Lisa, who now holds the role as our Project Coordinator, she had just become a first time mom. Our interview took place just weeks after she gave birth since she was eager to start work again and intrigued by the position of a fully remote job as a drafter. “I couldn’t believe it. It was literally my dream job and everything I was searching for. And with Nina being a mom too we were able to bond over motherhood.” I was pleased to offer Lisa the opportunity of a flexible work schedule so she could care for her newborn. Once her son started to become more mobile, she made the decision to shift her role to Project Coordinator, making it a lot easier to juggle work while being a stay at home mom through her son’s baby years.

“I am so grateful for the flexibility this job has given me. Having the opportunity to be there for my son as he grows is an incredible blessing.”

Striking a Balance

So, how do I create that balance between my professional responsibilities and motherhood? It's about juggling my priorities; knowing when to be the CEO and when to be the mom (or maybe the superhero, depending on the day). My journey as a business owner and a mother of two has taught me the art of seamlessly switching gears. From morning meetings to midday playdates, I've learned that success isn't just about conquering the business world but also nurturing the bonds that make my life truly extraordinary. It's a daily act of prioritizing deadlines and bedtime stories; each one as essential as the other. I've discovered that balance isn't about perfect harmony; it's about skillfully managing the beautiful chaos of both worlds. I embrace my roles as a business owner and a dedicated mother with equal passion.

Now, consider me Batman, but only because I've been fortunate enough to have Robin by my side.

On this journey, I have had incredible support from in-home caregivers. During our time in Orange County, my cousin Dana stepped up as a nanny for us before Atlas was born until we moved back to Denver. Dana's unwavering presence allowed me to focus on both my growing family and my flourishing business, emphasizing the importance of a reliable support system. I could hear children laughing, singing, and learning all while I worked upstairs. It's a reminder that family is the bedrock of everything we do, providing the strength and support to take on life's challenges and adventures.

We currently have our wonderful live-in Au Pair, Nancy, with us in Denver. She cares for Attie and Wade during my hours of business. Not only is she a wonderful caregiver to my children, but she has become part of our family and we love her dearly. If you catch me speaking Spanish, or craving arepas you can attribute that to Nancy bringing her Colombian culture to our home. Although her time with us is coming to an end soon, she will always be in our hearts and you can bet we are already planning a trip to visit her in Colombia!

My journey has been both a challenge and a profound joy. It continues to teach me that remarkable strength is required to chase professional aspirations while nurturing the most cherished bonds with my two little wonders. Every construction set we create has been touched by the laughter of my children, and every design carries the promise of a brighter future for them. So, to all the mothers who dare to chase their ambitions while holding their children close, remember, you are not alone in this beautiful chaos. We are the architects of our dreams and the builders of our families. In that delicate dance, we find the truest meaning of life's extraordinary journey.